VegetablePepper
Big Red Pepper
Bell Pepper
Big Red Sage stands as one of gardening's most remarkable resurrection stories, a Texas native once thought extinct until its rediscovery in the 1980s. Now thriving in home gardens from zones 6-10, this stunning perennial sage produces imposing spikes of dark rose-red to burgundy-red flowers that tower 3-5 feet tall and bloom from June through September. Despite its rarity in the wild, Big Red Sage proves surprisingly easy to grow from seed, offering gardeners the chance to cultivate a piece of living history while supporting conservation efforts.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/pepper-sweet-big-red-seeds)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy Loam; Drought-tolerant
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
24 in
Width
PeriodAnnual
TypeBush
Spacing
18-24 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-13
Size
24in H x 24in W
Growth
Annual
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The dramatic burgundy-red flowers stretch up to 1.5 inches long, unusually large for salvias, creating show-stopping displays that hummingbirds find irresistible throughout the summer months. This resilient sage combines historical significance with practical garden value, tolerating deer browsing while attracting beneficial pollinators. Its upright growth habit and evergreen to semi-evergreen rosettes in southern regions make it both an architectural focal point and a conservation success story that gardeners can actively participate in preserving.
Common Uses
Big Red Sage serves primarily as an ornamental powerhouse, prized for its dramatic architectural presence and exceptional wildlife value in native plant gardens and pollinator landscapes. The striking burgundy flower spikes create stunning cut flower displays, while the plant's role in conservation gardening makes it a meaningful choice for gardeners interested in preserving rare Texas flora. Its deer resistance and hummingbird appeal make it particularly valuable in naturalized settings and wildlife gardens.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Mid-spring
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the final frost of spring in a light, well-draining seed-starting mix. Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep with 2-3 seeds per pot, maintaining soil temperature around 80°F using a heat mat if necessary. Cover trays with plastic wrap or humidity dome to retain moisture and warmth, removing once germination occurs in 7-14 days.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors once all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions over 1-2 weeks. Choose a sunny, well-draining location and space plants 12 inches apart, incorporating balanced slow-release fertilizer at planting time.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Deer ResistantAttracts PollinatorsEdible
Soil pH Range
6 – 6.8
Bloom Time
June To September
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Tolerances
Deer
Scientific Classification
Capsicum L.
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Capsicum
History & Origin
“Salvia penstemonoides carries one of the most compelling conservation stories in American horticulture. This remarkable sage was believed completely extinct until several surviving colonies were rediscovered in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas during the 1980s. While the species remains endangered in its native habitat due to threats including herbicide use, water table depletion, and erosion, dedicated conservation efforts have successfully brought Big Red Sage into cultivation. Today it thrives in home gardens throughout its growing range, transforming from a species on the brink of extinction into a living testament to the power of seed collection and home gardening in plant preservation.”